Cipriani 'is not good enough to be a Lion', says legend McBride

Danny Cipriani's hopes of winning a place on the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa were dealt a severe blow last night when Lions legend Willie John McBride claimed England's controversial golden boy had done nothing to warrant being selected.

McBride, still a major influence on the Lions, toured with them five times and captained the unbeaten 1974 tour to South Africa.

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He acknowledges Cipriani's talent but believes the 21-year-old stand-off's form for Wasps has not been good enough and hinted that his celebrity status might be working against him.

McBride said: 'Cipriani has done nothing of note in his career, yet they have tried to make him a celebrity. He hasn't proved anything.

'He is a very talented boy, but you've got to have a track record before you become a celebrity. He has done nothing.

'There could be room for a rookie or two on this trip but Cipriani has done nothing to earn selection. You don't give celebrity players Lions caps. In my day, the best 30 players, drawn from the four countries, went on the trip. Those caps had to be earned.'

McBride's dismissal of Cipriani's chances of making his first Lions tour is another body blow to a player whose attitude is claimed to have upset England manager Martin Johnson and his coaches during their Six Nations preparation in Portugal.

Cipriani played no part in the England campaign and his status in the nation's setup appears to have slipped alarmingly.

McBride, who now promotes the Lions for HSBC, the principal tour partner, has given Ireland's Grand Slam winning captain Brian O'Driscoll his full backing to lead the tourists in South Africa, with Irish back row Paul O'Connell as his vice-captain.

McBride said: 'If I had been asked before the Six Nations whether Brian should lead the Lions in 2009, I would have said no because he hadn't been playing that well.

'But Brian is back to his very best and deserves a chance. He is a big influence on any team, with a work-rate that is unbelievable.'